Dutch Unlearning Burqua

Just few days back, when I wrote a blog on banning Burqua, many raised eyebrows on the issue whether it is feasible or not. In general, people accept the ideas and views which remain close to their perceptions. If anything talked new and fresh, they immediately go against that.

People are apprehensive to accept my views. But, they are doing at the cost of their growth. Today on Sunday, all Indian dailies have come out with the news of Dutch plan to ban burqua in public. The Asian Age writes this as a BIG STORY. The same is shown in the diagram. http://360.yahoo.com/kamekish

Netherlands planned to introduce legislation to ban burqua and similar garments in public places. It is said that full body garb worn by a small number of Muslim women in the Netherlands posed a grave security threat. There may be a time when Burqua must be providing security to vulnerable Muslim women in war torn society, but today, they have become a threat to existing peace loving nations and secured society.

Any clothing which hides the wearer’s face has a potential to be exploited by destructive and cunning people. Terrorist may use such garments to move beyond security checks to carry out an attack.

Jack Straw, Briton’s former foreign secretary, recently urged Muslim women to remove full facial veils when talking to him, saying the veil was “such a visible statement of separation and of difference” that it jeopardized British social harmony. Prime Minister Tony Blair subsequently backed Mr. Straw.

Indian government is struggling to improve the status of Muslim fraternity. After Sachar’s report, country is unable to find a solution for the upliftment of Muslims. Instead of thinking and discussing on reservation, which has kept even scheduled caste backward for last sixty years, they should open their ears for the happening around the world. The government can take a lesson from Dutch move. Government must ban veil not only from Muslim women faces but all other poor women from Haryana, Rajasthan or remote tribal lands so that Mallika’s mother should enjoy her daughter’s successes or Rakhi Sawant should not feel humiliated in front of her conservative mother.

Indian government should not fear of losing elections. Like West Bengal government, center may not be able to fool Muslim without their real development in 21st century. They will have to take some concrete steps for the growth of backward community including Muslims. As such in society, only few are left in burqua who are making all the female population vulnerable. Even the developed men can quote about veil to suppress their women counterpart.

About a million Muslims live in Netherlands; hardly 50-100 women regularly wear a Burqua. In India of Shabana Azmi, there may be only poor ladies who follow these trends of 16th century. There is no reason that we do not take some hard decisions. There is a need to unlearn Burqua for the homogenous growth of society.

Dutch is not alone in such steps of unlearning. France banned from its school the hijab, the head scarf worn by many Muslim girls and women, along with other conspicuous religious symbols.

Britain’s highest court ruled this year that a secondary school was within its right to bar a female student from wearing a jilbab, a loose, ankle-length gown, instead of a regular uniform.

Prime Minister Romano Prodi of Italy has also joined the debate. “You can not cover your face, you must be seen,” Mr Prodi said in October. “This is a common sense. I think. It is important for our society.”

Is Sonia Gandhi, Italy born UPA Chairperson of India, listening? Has she this simple common sense for common people? When Prime Minister of Italy can issue such wise statement and prepare to take some unlearning steps, why can not Sonia Gandhi and her government take some such steps to curb the menace in society. Even if Sonia may not be interested in making India Super Power, for normal growth, such steps need to be initiated.

Reservation for female may not serve that much purpose as unlearning veil and burqua will serve for the Indian society. Will government take some constructive steps or continue thinking in populist line?

Respecting the tradition of some religion or culture is one thing while keeping the community backward for generations even in 21st century is a crime. This crime is being committed by leaders and government of developing countries in this Information age. People sitting on network or even reading the news paper are aware about the recent rape case of 50 year old lady in Pakistan. One side, we keep them in burqua, other side we make them so vulnerable? People sitting on network will never excuse such ongoing brutalism on society.

Society will have to unlearn irrelevant traditions fast. The issues of unlearning which I am raising in my blogs continuously are essential for human survival. Growth comes next. The choice of burqua or unlearning is not an option; the choice is between life and death.